Choice Between Sweetness, a Sock in the Jaw : THIS WEEK’S MOVIES

This weekend you can choose between two 1989 theatrical hits--one sweet, one violent, both funny.

“Parenthood” (MCA, no suggested retail price, PG-13) is the sweet one, a Ron Howard-directed, comic look at what it’s like to bring up kids in America at the tail end of the 20th Century. The great cast includes Steve Martin, Rick Moranis, Tom Hulce, Martha Plimpton, Mary Steenburgen and Jason Robards. Also available on video disc Thursday. (And not to be confused with “Parents,” the grisly black-humor film that came out earlier in the year and is also available on video).

“Lethal Weapon 2” (Warner, $24.98, R) made even more at the box office than “Parenthood” ($145 million to $95 million), and though this sequel got mixed reviews, many critics appreciated the touches of weird humor amid the cops-and-criminals action. Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Derrick O’Connor and Patsy Kensit starred.

Also new this week: “Wired” (IVE, $89.95, R). Controversial 1989 filmography of late comedian John Belushi, based on the Bob Woodward book.

“Distant Voices, Still Lives” (IVE, $89.95, PG-13). Cannes prize-winning drama set in post-World War II Britain from director Terence Davies and based on his early life.

“Pal Joey” (RCA/Columbia, $19.95). Rodgers & Hart musical (including songs “My Funny Valentine” and “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered”) from 1957 teaming Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak and Rita Hayworth.

“Cover Girl” (RCA/Columbia, $19.95). A younger Hayworth (1944) in a Jerome Kern-Ira Gershwin musical also starring Gene Kelly, Eve Arden and Phil Silvers.

“One Night of Love” (RCA/Columbia, $19.95). Operetta from 1934 starring Grace Moore.

“Rude Awakening” (HBO, $89.99, R). Comedy about anachronistic hippies among modern-day yuppies, with Cheech Marin and Eric Roberts, released theatrically last year to poor reviews.

OTHER NEW VIDEOS

“That’s Black Entertainment” (VCI, $29.95). Sixty-minute documentary compiling scenes from the Black Cinema Collection, 22 films discovered in a Texas warehouse in 1983. These were made for black audiences during the ‘30s and ‘40s by black producers and directors and featured such figures as Paul Robeson, Cab Calloway, Lena Horne and a very young Sammy Davis Jr. Information: (800) 331-4077.